Newsmaker of the year: Cyrus Mistry

"It couldn't have been a better fit," says Suhel Seth, Managing Partner Counselage, and a close Tata Group associate.

Many would argue that the decision was inevitable. It cannot be ignored that Cyrus happens to be the youngest son of Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry -- the single largest shareholder in Tata Sons.

The relationship between the two families has remained bitter-sweet over generations. But unlike his father, Pallonji -- whom Tata Group chroniclers call the Phantom of Bombay House -- has been relatively unobtrusive and obsessively private.

Newsmaker of the year: Cyrus Mistry

RNT, as friends call Ratan, never really wanted 'to get out in a wheelchair.'

Over the next one year, as he and his brain-trusts will groom Cyrus to enable the transition, it will be a testimony of his commitment, sincerity and precision.

It's a step in a whole new direction.

As young minds and ideas increasingly come to the forefront, Cyrus will have to keep a fine balance to continue the thread of history and legacy while charting out a newer leadership blueprint for himself.